Topic: PS3 Questions

Ok so as some of you may know, I didn't own a PS3 last gen, but long story short my son is asking for one for Christmas. I have a PS4 but he wants it for a few games that aren't coming to PS4 and to be able to play with his friends.

So there are alot of choices I have seen ones ranging from 60gb all the way up to 500 gb. So my biggest question is does harddrive space matter as much as it does on the PS4. I have a 500 gb Xbox 360 but honesty I don't use that much mostly it's full of download only games.

Do games have to be installed on the PS3 like they are on the PS4? What size harddrive can I get away with? Just to mention some of the big games like GTA V, Uncharted TLOU etc I won't be getting since I have/played them on PS4.

Thanks for your guys help.

@Tasuki: Games don't have to be installed on the PS3 (Unless you buy them digitally) so I imagine that 60gb is enough. The only one of those games that'll take up space will be GTA V since it has a huge amount of updates, but I reckon 60gb is fine as you long as buy games on disk.

Some games do add an install to help with disc read speed, but they're rarely ever as big as the ones on PS4. If you're just after it for a handful of games and you're planning to stick with Blu-ray games, then 60GB will do the trick. I'd really recommend going for the PS3 Slim model if you can afford it, though, which I believe has a 250GB HDD as standard. Don't get the original model

@get2sammyb: Oh what's wrong with the original model?

@Anchorsam_9: I have GTA V on PS4 so I won't be getting it on PS3 (I even have it on 360)

I do plan on buying disc though cause I can get them cheaper then digital some places like Gamestop even run buy 2 get 1 on PS3 games all the time.

@Tasuki: The original model had similar issues to the original 360 (this time it was the Yellow Light of Death), but was much more rare. Buying that style of model can be a gamble these days. Some of the old models are backwards compatible with PS2 and PS1 games (while all models can play PS1 games).

The hard-drive also doesn't matter as much because like the PS4, they are easily replaceable if desired.

Also, if you're interested, you should start adding the ps3 games to your library (ps+). That will give you some extra free games when you actually do get the system.

@get2sammyb: a NEW slim would have 250 or so as standard, but I believe they also made some 120's.

The PS3 operates exactly like the XB360 did in terms of the way it played games. Some do require a partial install - I believe Resistance 3 and Battlefield 3 for example had partial installs. The original Phat model may play older PS2/1 games but was a lot more susceptible to YLOD - it happened to mine - especially with prolonged and frequent use. Its also not been made for many years so I assume it will be 2nd hand - if so, you never know how much use its had and could fail within weeks. The main issue with YLOD was the fact the thermal paste between the chip and heat synch dries out and its a nightmare to repair. You have to strip the PS3 right down to its circuit board - everything is built around this. Literally you have to reverse engineer it as everything is built around the circuit board and needs to be removed in a specific order.
The Slim model though is a lot better and uses less power. They changed the chip to be more efficient and also comes with a good sized HDD - more than you are likely to need. Its also quieter in operation too.

So then I want to look for the second or third redesign then. Thanks for all the info it's helping me alot. Keep the info coming.

If you've build up a digital libary through Plus 60GB might not be enough if you don't want to redownload stuff. I had a 40GB original PS3 originally, and it filled up after some time (before I had Plus), then I upgraded to a 500GB and have never have worried since, but I'm sure I haven't had 250BG used up yet so that's guarantee of working, but 120 should be good too I think (though 60's fine if your not worried about PSN games). I also had a YLOD with fat PS3, and like @BAMozzy said, reparing it's a pain, and didn't last very long before it started constantly shutting down.
As for as the Slim and Super Slim go, I'd break it down like this: the Slim has a better design since you push disc in like on the PS4 rather than having the top slider, and I think it's bit quieter with reading the disc, but I'm not sure since I never had, but you have to buy it used as it stopped being made years ago - the Super Slim doesn't have as nice of a design, but you can buy it new and therefore get the 1-year warrenty with it. I've got no idea of one is supped to last longer than the other, but I'd bet the super slim since it's new.

Ok so I will be picking up a PS3 this weekend for my son but I just want to ask one more question. Can PS4 controllers work on a PS3? I thought I read somewhere that they can but I wanted to be sure.

Beware you don't make the same mistake my missis did, she bought my youngest son a PS3 slim and wrapped it up before I got home to check it out but she had bought the 4 gig yes there is a "4 gig version". It wouldn't even play BF4 off the disc until we could get a new hard drive which ofc we couldn't on xmas day so it kind of ruined thing's.....why do they sell a 4 gig version?

@xMEADx: Wow didn't see them that low I saw a 12 gig and I thought WTF? Can you even play a game on that? I guess the only reason to have that model is for using it as a blu-ray player/media box.

@Tasuki: The DS4 controller works with a PS3. Its not something I have tried though but I have read on other sites that it will work but with a few functions missing. Obviously the Share and Touchpad don't work but also the Rumbles and sixaxis doesn't. So any game that requires the sixaxis is not compatible. I believe that the PS3 sees it as a generic controller - not a PS one so it doesn't have the full functionality of a DS3 does. Whilst the basics may work properly, certain other things don't work at all - like pressing the PS button to go 'Home'. Once paired with the PS3 though, yhe DS4 won't work on your PS4 until you pair it with that again. It may suffice as a 2nd or even 3rd controller in a couch co-op type situation but I wouldn't use it unless I really had to.

BF3 though won't run on a 4GB PS3 as it had an 8GB partial install and I doubt it would run on a 12GB one either as I bet the OS takes up a bit of that as well as any 'updates' to the games

@Tasuki: The DS4 will work on the PS3, but you have to keep it plugged in order for it to work. Well, there is a way to make t work wirelessly, but I it's quite complicted to to do. Rumble also doesn't work, and there are some PS3 games that won't work with the DS4. I'm not sure if there is a comprehensive list available or not.
@Tasuki: @xMEADx: A 12/4 GB also for people who already have a big hard drive they bought for a PS3, but had a YLOD or something. That's what happened with me anyhow.

@BAMozzy: Yeah that's probably what I would use the DS4 anyhow as a spare controller for when a friend comes over and we want to play a multiplayer game or something. I already have a DS3 from my PSTV and I am sure that another comes with the PS3 but you know just for that quick MP game I can use a couple of my PS4 controllers.

@Jaz007. That makes sense.

On that note can the PS3 use external HDD?

Ok yet another silly question. My son and I recently started playing Black Ops II on the PS3. I am wondering when we play a splitscreen game can I sign into my profile with the second controller like I can on the PS4? I have tried but I get a message saying that if I sign into my profile it will sign my son out and vice versa. Did I over look something?

@Tasuki: I believe that the PS3, like the XB360 too, allows you to have a 'guest' player whilst split-screening in CoD that uses the same account as the profile signed in. I don't think it is possible to have 2 accounts signed in at once on last gen. I must admit it wasn't something I played often in split-screen and I do remember seeing a lot of others with the same name but with [1] after it indicating they were split-screening.

@BAMozzy: Yeah that's what we usually do. I was just wondering so I could get trophies for my profile, not a big deal. I will admit I am not that into COD games at all but for some reason Blops just hits the right chord with me.

I must admit the CoD: BO games (inc 3) have been my favourite. I loved CoD4 but I now find that very basic and not very balanced with a number of 'crutch' perks too. I know its many peoples favourite but I do think a lot of that is because it was their first and nostalgia plays a massive part. I also think its because of the 'community' and remembering playing with and making new friends but as a game itself, it has a number of flaws that wouldn't be acceptable in more modern CoD's.
The Black Ops games have a great MP with excellent Map design. They can be a bit more colourful than IW maps. BO2 was also the first game to have the pick 10 system for a lot more freedom in class set-up and no death streaks which eradicated the majority of annoying 'deaths'. I do think its ever so slightly slower all round than the IW games are. Movement speed, TTK etc are a bit slower and the visuals have their own 'look' too. I know it may have the same 'basic' engine underneath but its clear that Treyarch have modified theirs in a different way to how IW have over the years - I bet the 2 now are very different!
I do find the Campaigns a little less cohesive and tend to jump around a bit more compared to the more structured linear progression of other games in the franchise. However the one thing that sets BO games apart from others is the co-op Zombies. I know it started in W@W but that was nothing more than a throwaway hidden 'bonus' that grew over the course of its DLC and developed into its own category for Black Ops. I have probably spent more hours on just the Zombies than all but a couple of games. The fact these can be played Split-screen to meant that my Son and I could actually sit and play games together.

Wow, I just got a PS3 Super Slim myself and I had no idea you could play PSOne games on it. That's great to know!